Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1887-09-16
NEW VOL. 23-NO. /.

ton calls his attention to this plan OF
supplying steam for the purposes OF
navigation. This was in 1872, and as
additional evidence of this fact, IL any
one will take the trouble 10 look into
the public libraries of this city for the
'New Travels" by Brissot de warville,
published in London In 1872, they will
! find a foot note almost In these words,
as near as l can remember them:
whilst these sheets are going
through the press here in London have
met an ingenious Virginian by the name
of Rumsey, who is now building boat
upon the Thames TO be moved by the
power of steam, and so sasguine Is ne OF
the success Of his invention that he be-
lieves he will he able to cross the Attain
tic in fifteen days"
Here is the contemporary evidence
which of itself ought TO be sufficient TO
establish this fact, contained In the
words of Brissot lie Warvile's "Travels
in America" published In London In
1892. know there Is copy OF 1t In
my hands. Rumsey died, aud his plan
died with him, so far he was concerned.
Now, Mr. President and gentlemen Of
the Convention, you all know that the
idea of applying steam to boats ID very
old one, and that though he had never
heard Of il IL did lot originate with
Rumsey, because II you will ask Span
lard he will tell you that In the time Of
Charles V, Blasco de Garay had a steam
boat, so called, in operation. II you
ask Frenchman he will tell you that
Dennis Papln and Joufirey, and Others,
interested themselves in the attempt.
If you talk 10 an Englishman he Will
tell you that Jonathan Hull, In 1872,
published pamphlet on this subject,
very interesting one, aud that Bell and
Simonton on the Clyde put "A steamboat
ia operation before Fulton, and all that.
But no; one of those men ever succeed
ed in moving boat by steam before
Rumsey, who was uuquestionably the
first man in any country In the world
to succeed in that attempt. And now
his name surprises us and falls upon
our ears as that of stranger, but IL Is
name that deserves TO be embalmed In
the grateful recollection OF the whole
family OF man for whom he labored and
sacrificed his life.
Mr.. President, you gentlemen have
assembled to promote great interest OF
our country, and thought that IL would
not be unnteresting TO you TO hear this
plain, simple story OF this man who has
done so much to promote steam navlga-
ton, which is so important factor In
the shipping interests of the country.
Anyone, sir, who will look at the his.
tory of our country will recognize one
fact: he will see that whenever the time
comes when, IN the providence OF God,
this country Of ours Is TO make grand
stride in the career Of grandeur and
glory, there Is always n man TO do the
right thing at the right time. (Ap-
plause).
Therefore, the corollary Of all this
little talk of mine Is simply this: IL
this poor man In the wilds Of Virginia,
up there in the midst Of the mountains,
could build steamboat, could solve
problem that had puzzled the heads OF
Europe for one hundred years, Why may
not Americans, with little assistance
from the legislators Of the country,
build Gp the shipping interest aud make
1t what it ought to ber tApplanse.)
know what have just said Is not
what you expected to hear; but you will
excuse me when say that ! cannot
omit the opportunity to tell this little
story, and 20 claim for my State the
honor which thiuk rightfully belongs
to her. - Now, you hear great deal
about new South. Gentlemen, IL IL
not new South. It Is the old South
which has awakened TO the great reali-
zation Of her responsibilities and her
capabilities. (Applause.) Her young
men have learned that important lesson
that not to work is not to be respectable.
(Applause.) They have learned that
not to work, either with the hands or
the head, or both, Is not TO be respecta-
bic, and they have taken of their coats
end are developing the magnificent nat
ural resources Of their region, and, sir,
they are doing IL not only for their In
dIyidual benefit and for the benefit Of
their respective States, but they are DO
ing IL to add to the honor and greatness
and glory Of our common country. (Ap-
plause.> And in doing that, sir, they
recognize no other rallying point for
their patriotism but the unfuried dag
of their common country. Great ap-
plause.)